Standard Precautions

Standard precautions are the “common sense” infection control guidelines you should  follow as you perform your daily tasks with clients.  They apply to ALL your clients, no matter what their diagnosis—even if they don’t seem sick!

The TOP TEN STANDARD PRECAUTIONS GUIDELINES (recommended by the CDC) are:

1. Wash your hands before and after any contact with a client or the client’s environment.
2. Wear gloves when you have to touch blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, contaminated items, mucous membranes, or any non-intact skin.
3. Wear a gown as needed to protect your skin and clothing from body fluids.
4. Wear a mask or goggles if you might get splashed or sprayed by blood or other body fluid.
5. Use gloves and caution with sharps and NEVER recap a needle or syringe.
6. Disinfect the environment routinely.
7. Dispose of contaminated waste according to workplace policy.
8. Disinfect shared client equipment.
9. Clearly label specimens, such as urine, stool or sputum.
10. Use a mouthpiece when performing CPR.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Respiratory Hygiene & Cough Etiquette: For anyone with a cough or cold symptoms, especially a fever. 

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the inside of the elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Dispose of tissues properly
• Perform frequent handwashing.

Contact Precautions: For infections like MRSA, VRE, e-coli, pink eye and hepatitis A. 

• Gloves and gown must be worn for all contact with the client and the client’s environment.

Droplet Precautions: For infections like pertussis, flu, strep throat, mumps, and rubella.

• A mask must be worn within 3 feet of the client.

 Airborne Precautions: For infections like measles, chickenpox, and shingles.

• A mask must be worn when you are in the same room as the client.

Expanded Airborne Precautions: For infections like tuberculosis (TB), smallpox and  SARS

• A fit tested respirator must be worn for all contact with the client.